Start over or?

Ok, I did it all wrong. I just started with a bench and added track ect. I have a thought that two mains is too much of a pain. I like to see trains run but I also want some industries. I want a gravel quarry on the hill and??? I was also going to add a lift-out to go all the way around the room. I have tons of track, switches and crossovers. Question is tear it all out and start over or modify what I have? N scale all modern diesels EMD SD70ACe's,SD35, UP View attachment 51590 ATTACH]The layout has been sitting for a while. I have the bug again, after getting frustrated with what I have going any input would be great...

 

Well, if it was me, I'd probably start over. Since you're using Unitrack, you should be able to recycle most if not all of it. There's nothing like starting with a solid plan up front (although Unitrack does box you into some unfortunate design corners); it's a way of working out the bugs and getting (most of) what you want, while avoiding the kind of pitfalls you're experiencing right now. Why not post a sketch of the room with dimensions, maybe include the benchwork you've built in case it's still useful, and we can go from there.

 

Thanks, none of the track is glued down. I forgot to add that I am running DCC. I will get the measurements up for the room and benches ASAP.

 

Since you are using Unitrak, why not remove one main line and have passing siding every so often? At least that is what I would do. No sense is starting all over again unless it is absolutely necessary.

 

Wow I won't post from my Iphone again!! Well here is the room and bench work. The Dbl doors swing in right now but IF I CAN GET THE OK from the wife I want to flip them to swing out....

 

Thanks for the drawing. It would also be useful if you could post information about what goals you have for your layout. Location? Time setting? Running, ops or both? Freight and/or passenger? Industries? The more details you can provide, the more helpful it will be.

 

Modern era diesel is what I am drawn to. I have pretty much every Union Pacific EMD SD70ACe that Kato has put out including the heritage ones. I like long running trains (I have had 3 SD70ACe's pulling with about 14 auto racks and 10 other cars with one more SD70ACe pushing in a consist). I also have a few EMD SD35s SD40s a new EMD NW2 all UP (UP junkie) for a yard and short pulls. I like the California foothills and the Sierras (Donner pass) so maybe some Oaks lower and Pines and Redwoods higher up? Plus I'd like some type of industry, I have a plant close by that produces fine limestone granules for roofing. It uses covered hoppers to transport it's product out. (I could get some pictures of the plant tomorrow) I have a large collection of covered hoppers that mimic the ones the plant ships is final product in (maybe just a hint of the plant against the backdrop and a conveyer supplying the loading building). Oh and I have collection of auto racks all modern. Thought about some stackers?? But I have probably more cars than my layout can handle already. Oh got to have a bridge if possible. Don't care if there is a town or not, gravel roads and service roads are fine. I know I have a small fortune in Unitrack but if it has to go, it can. I am just not that much of a detailed oriented person, don't know how well I'd do with cork and flex track. Too much info? I know I bounce around a lot, ADD in full effect!!! I am 40 and my friends at work compare me to that little squirrel thing from Ice Age! View attachment 51615

 

Hello ...
just as a trial I like to show you a plan I draw for your situation...
It is still 2 track main, but gets into a large staging (hidden) wich can hold up to 4 124" long trains. In front you find a passing for short trains, some tracks to hold the cars from the industries and the gravel yard. There is a scenic area on the left with a deep creek (has to be cut out of the benchwork!) and some bridges. the mainline is split into two seperate tracks. There are NO grades in this plan! The switch template I used is the atlas #6 code 55 track...I do not know wether this switches compare to those you got already. The minimum radius is 15" in the hidden areas. In the open areas the minimum radius ist 16,5". I prefer to lay track with flex tracks.

My main design goals where:
- No grades
- long trains
- continous run
- bigger industries but only a few of them

Hope you may find some ideas helpfull for your restart.
greetings from germany
scopewime

 

Nice plan and all, but the OP is using Unitrack. This would not be buildable as-is.

 

Good information. Based on what you've provided, I'd stick with Unitrack; I think it will do what you need. I also think that a flat plan with no grades is probably a good approach. You'll be able to pull longer trains, although they'd probably still be shorter than what you have in your mind's eye--that's almost always the case.

 

It could be built as-is or very close to as-is using Unitrack if you are up to resectioning curves to come up with non-standard radius curves starting with 15, 30 or 45 degree radius sections. I have done it, so I know it is a possibility, obviously not as easy to do compared to using flex track.

Jerry

 

Almost, but not quite. Many of the areas would be very difficult if not impossible given the geometry of the few switches Unitrack has to offer. Plus, look at the number of tracks crammed in along the right side--using #6s, that would be wall-to-wall track (#4s are not recommended).


Here's a straight-up Unitrack plan based very loosely on scopewime's suggestion. Simple and straightforward, flat, staging yard to hold long trains, three industrial areas--two of them a decent size.

 

David,

Your rendition of Scopewime's layout is very typical of a sectional track design. By resectioning curves the yard / sidings would not have to follow the lead edge of the bench work and would allow for additional space otherwise lost. Broad curves are also not going to allow you to duplicate Scopewime's layout design.

I am able to replicate Scopewime's N scale layout almost to the letter. I am also using #6's for staging and the mainline and #4's for the yard and industries. By using #6's in staging I am limited to four staging tracks. I will post my rendition of Scopewime's layout to prove my point including adjusted radius curves to make the yard come out at an angle to the bench work.

It is possible to do much more with Unitrack than first meets the eye. It does however demand more from the designer and makes cork roadbed and flextrack look better and better all the time.

Jerry

 

That was by design. Oh, and I'm David, not Ken. (And, it's Scopewime.)

Then you have a lot more spare time than I do! Go for it.

I totally agree. But the process is not for everyone. I rarely bother to go to all of the trouble, as I've not had any layout design clients request plans developed in this manner. Usually if they want to use Unitrack, they're not interested in hacking it up, and they're generally satisfied with the sectional look. If you have the wherewithal to resection Unitrack, it begs the question why not just bite the bullet and go with flex?

 

Thanks all. Here are a few picks of the plant I was referring to.

 

As promised here is a similar rendition of Scopewime's layout design. It took an hour to rough draft this and would need refinement. It would require seven curves to be resectioned to angle the yard.

Jerry

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Well done, Jerry. (Hope the builder is ready to buy a bazillion little filler sections.... wink, wink)

 

I have a "bazillion of them" but I might bite the bullet and kick Unitrack to the curb!!! It is pretty limiting!!!

Thanks for all the input. I have only one question if the staging yard is in the back of the layout behind a facade won't it be hard to clear problems???

 

Thanks David. Note groups of numerous little sections could be drastically reduced by resectioning one longer straight section. I know that is more effort, so bear with me. It was stated the OP had an investment in Unitrack, so I'm trying not to break the bank.

If you have gained a better understanding of Unitrack from this thread, then we have all done our job. Consider a scenic divider of around 11 inches between the staging tracks and the foreground of your layout. That will give you the ability to stand on a stool if necessary and reach over to clear problems. That is the primary reason for using #6 switches in the staging area for the reliability factor.

Jerry